Iconic Boxing Fights of History

With two major boxing matches happening on the same night on May 5th, 2018, we decided to look back on the venues and fights that made their lasting mark on boxing history. From historical icons like The Boardwalk Hall and York Hall to up-and-coming venues like London's O2 Centre, every serious boxing fan should keep their eyes on these big names...
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MGM Grand

Paradise, Nevada, USA

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The MGM Grand Garden Arena is a multipurpose venue that has played host to some of the biggest fights in the history of boxing.

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The Fightof theCentury

Floyd Mayweather Jr.Vs.Manny Pacquiao

Made $410 Million in US PPV Revenue.Every boxing aficionado remembers 2 May 2015, when the undefeated five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. beat eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao in what was labelled "The Fight of the Century".

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Finally

Mike TysonVs.Evander Holyfield

This iconic boxing match on 9 November 1996 was Mike Tyson's first defence of the WBA title. To spectators' great upset, Tyson was knocked out by his opponent, making Holyfield the first person since Muhammad Ali to win a heavyweight championship belt three times.

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CANCELLED

Gennady GolovkinVs.Saul Alvarez

Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin38 fights, 37 winsSaul 'Canelo' Alvarez52 fights, 49 winsOn 5 May 2018, Gennady Golovkin was due to put his WBA, WBC and IBF titles on the line once again in a hotly anticipated rematch against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, but a formal complaint against Alvarez for doping violations put a spanner in the works. Golovkin consequently fought Vanes Martirosyan at StubHub Center, driving his opponent to the ground in round 2 of a scheduled 12-rounder.

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O2 Arena

Greenwich Peninsula, London, UK

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A newcomer on the world stage, the O2 Arena is on its way to becoming one of the most significant boxing venues in the UK. Join for a boxing match with Britain's best fighters.

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97-SecondKnock Out

Anthony JoshuaVs.Gary Cornish

Who can win the Commonwealth heavyweight title in just 97 seconds? It's Anthony Joshua, Britain's undisputed boxing champion, who is renowned for his exceptional punching power. On 12 Sep 2015, he knocked out his opponent Gary Cornish twice at London's O2 Arena.

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BritishBeef

Lawrence OkolieVs.Isaac Chamberlain

In this very recent fight on 3 February 2018, British cruiserweights Okolie and Chamberlain faced each other in a match that saw Okolie earn the bragging rights over his London rival with a unanimous points victory.

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Tune InOn5 May

Tony BellewVs.David Haye

Tony 'Bomber' Bellew32 fights, 29 winsDavid 'The Hayemaker' Haye31 fights, 28 winsOn 5 May 2018, boxing fans gathered at the O2 Arena to witness the much-anticipated rematch between these two British multi-weights. An emotional Tony Bellew dedicated the fight to his late brother-in-law, who passed away in August, and managed to beat David Haye for the second time, effectively putting an end to Haye's top level boxing career.

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Thomas & MackCenter

Paradise, Nevada, USA

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Besides being a weighty venue in terms of boxing, the Thomas & Mack Center has hosted mixed martial arts events, such as UFC 43 and the Pride Fighting Championships 32 and 33.

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Battleof thePlanet

Bernard HopkinsVs.Joe Calzaghe

Most Expensive Ticket Prices: $1500 Epically dubbed the 'Battle of the Planet', Hopkins faced the undisputed super middleweight champion Calzaghe in a fight for his The Ring light heavyweight title on 19 April 2008. The bout was scored 116 to 111 for Calzaghe, who landed almost double the punches.

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UltimateGlory

Julio César ChávezVs.Hector Camacho

In this bloody match on 12 September 1992, the great Mexican boxer Chávez gave his opponent Camacho a merciless beating, landing blows with both hands until Camacho's face was battered. Camacho did defend himself bravely, as there weren't any knockdowns.

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Madison SquareGarden

New York City, New York, USA

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From day one, Madison Square Garden has seen the world's most prominent boxers enter the ring. Fight nights at the 'Mecca of Boxing' can bring the whole city to a standstill.

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Fightof theCentury

Joe FrazierVs.Muhammad Ali

According to boxing historians, this legendary boxing match between two undefeated heavyweight champions was the unanimous 'Fight of the Century'. On 8 March 1971, Frazier dealt Ali his first professional loss with several of his famed left hooks.

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TheBrown Bomber'sFinal Battle

Joe LouisVs.Rocky Marciano

Preceded by a lot of hype, this boxing fight saw Rocky Marciano beat his boyhood idol Joe Louis - 'The Brown Bomber' - with a crippling right hand that sent Louis right through the ropes. After his defeat, nationwide hero Joe Louis never fought again.

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York Hall

Bethnal Green, London, UK

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In this list of boxing venues, UK-based York Hall is the smallest yet the most buzzing in terms of energy. Its community gym has hosted world title fights, as well as local amateurs.

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'The Lion'versusLiverpool's Pride

Lennox LewisVs.Noel Quarless

This British heavyweight contest on 31 January 1990 saw Lennox 'The Lion' Lewis beat Liverpool's Noel Quarless in an energetic, technical boxing fight. Lewis, who started his career the year before, went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

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Clashfor theCommonwealth Title

Carl FrochVs.Brian Magee

On 26 May 2006, London's York Hall was the background of a thrilling fight between these two British super middleweights, who were battling for the Commonwealth super middleweight title. After a close fight, Magee was knocked out by an uppercut in round 11.

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Estadio Azteca

Mexico City, Mexico

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Besides holding the record for the largest boxing crowd in history, this iconic football stadium has seen the greatest Mexican warriors vigorously defend their titles.

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ARecord-BreakingCrowd

Julio César ChávezVs.Greg Haugen

If there is one boxing match that will be forever in Mexico's records, it is this bout from 30 February 1993, which attracted 132,000 spectators. It was the largest live attendance in boxing history. A moat and barbed wire surrounded the ring as Chávez beat Haugen by TKO.

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Chávez'sLast Fight

Julio César ChávezVs.Frankie Randall

Every boxing buff remembers the nostalgic three-bout battle between Julio César Chávez and Frankie Randall on 22 May 2004, in which Mexico's all-time favourite boxer outpointed Randall over 10 rounds in his very last fight before retirement.

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The Boardwalk Hall(Previously: Convention Hall)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

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The Boardwalk Hall started making its name as a major boxing site in the 1970s and 1980s and has since hosted four of seven title defences, as well as numerous heavyweight battles.

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OnceandFor All

Mike TysonVs.Michael Spinks

Promoted as 'Once and For All', this legendary boxing match between 'Iron Mike' and 'Jinx' made an at-the-time unprecedented gross profit of some $70 million. Tyson came out on top, after knocking out his opponent in a mere 91 seconds on 27 June 1988.

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ALong AwaitedRematch

Evander HolyfieldVs.Dwight Muhammad Qawi

With their first fight in July 1986 proclaimed the 'best cruiserweight fight of the 1980s' by The Ring magazine, Holyfield and Qawi met again on 5 December 1987 for a rematch at what was then the Convention Hall. Eventually, Qawi lost by knockout in the fourth round.